Friday, November 6, 2015

I’ve been thinking a lot about words lately.The impact of when we speak too much, too
soon, too little, too late or not at all and the significance of the words we choose to communicate
our message.Words are guided and
influenced by our thoughts, what we say in the quiet of our own mind and through
the words we speak out loud.

Our kids offer us a lesson in how they value a message.Have you noticed the way they engage and soak
up everything, even when we think they aren’t listening or when we hope they
are only taking away the good parts?No pressure.As they filter through the meaning and how it
fits in their understanding of the world around them, they hold us accountable,
they let us know how we are doing.They
learn from how we talk to them, each other and ourselves.I’ve noticed how much they are impacted and
influenced by each and every word in the literal interpretation and undertone
of each message.The words we choose and
how we phrase them dramatically alters what will happen next, leaving little
room for undoing.And boy, they always remember--did I really say that?

I suppose an emphasis on words is inevitable parenting small
children—the constant correction and redirection that goes on. The words I use
when I am disciplining and/or encouraging my kids doesn’t always get the credit
they deserve. And then there’s the absence of words I choose not to say or share
with them in the moment or those times when I hear myself in them (not always my favorite).The reality is, what we mean to communicate
isn’t always the message that gets delivered.

There’s an ongoing struggle with constant distraction of
over messaging that pulls us away from the very things we want most, to
connect, understand and be understood in a meaningful way. It makes it
difficult to be concise and deliver clarity in our message with one another
amongst all the noise.

In October, I did a challenge with my staff.The challenge was to successfully complete
two handwritten notes a day to someone in their life.It could be a coworker, a significant other,
a friend, family, anyone, the message had to be handwritten in a note.Nearly everyone was successful so it was fun
to reflect on the experience as a group.I was inspired by the testimonies of how impactful the exercise was for
not only the recipients of the cards but for the authors of those who shared
their encouraging words with others.For such a small, simple, five-minute daily task,
the reward was enormous.

This November, I’m suggesting a slightly different challenge.
Sharing gratitude through the language and words we speak to one another.A daily commitment to verbally connect and
share gratitude with at least two people we engage with in our life.I think giving and receiving words that are
complimentary and encouraging can sometimes be difficult but I also believe the
impact is powerful and influential.

What you focus on
expands, is something we say a lot around here.I believe when we
intentionally nourish our minds with healthy and wholesome thoughts and ideas,
it begins to outweigh the distraction of the other garbage around us.

Carefully selecting the words we verbalize in the moment
requires more control over our thoughts and a silencing of the noise and
distraction around us; this is no small feat.It takes practice.There is so
much more we can do in the way of connecting and better communicating what we
really mean when we begin thinking more about our words.

I want to remember what it was like getting to
know them. I want to
share the story of my
experience and perspective with them. Leaving a
successful career to
be at home wasn't easy for me. Until I went back
to
work, I needed something else.
During a trying first
year of motherhood, I started
writing to spend more
time focusing on what was good.
I found comfort and company in a lonely space, a voice inside wanting to
be heard. Now, I write to escape from
the busyness of
everyday life. I'm on a quest to learn something
worth teaching.